Where Was Tarzan Filmed?
Six Tarzan movies were filmed at Silver Springs in Ocala, Florida — where crystal-clear waters and subtropical jungle made the perfect stand-in for Africa.
From 1938 to 1968, Hollywood transformed Marion County into Tarzan's jungle playground. Today you can visit the exact same waters on a glass-bottom boat tour.
The Tarzan-Silver Springs Connection
In the late 1930s, MGM Studios was searching for a location that could convincingly double as the African jungle for their lucrative Tarzan franchise. They found the perfect spot in an unlikely place: Silver Springs, a natural artesian spring in Marion County, Florida.
Silver Springs offered everything filmmakers needed — water so clear you could see 80 feet to the bottom (perfect for underwater cinematography), dense subtropical hammock forests that looked remarkably like African jungle, and the nearby Ross Allen Reptile Institute, which provided exotic animals including monkeys, alligators, and snakes to populate the scenes.
Johnny Weissmuller, the Olympic swimmer turned actor, performed many of his own underwater stunts in these very waters. The springs' constant 72°F temperature and exceptional clarity made it possible to film complex underwater sequences that would have been impossible almost anywhere else.
Why Silver Springs?
- Crystal-clear water — 80+ feet of underwater visibility for filming
- Jungle-like vegetation — subtropical hammock doubled as African forest
- Constant 72°F temperature — comfortable year-round filming conditions
- Ross Allen Reptile Institute — provided exotic animals for authenticity
Tarzan Movies Filmed at Silver Springs
Between 1939 and 1966, six Tarzan films used Silver Springs as a primary filming location. Here's the complete list:
Tarzan Finds a Son!
Starring: Johnny Weissmuller, Maureen O'Sullivan
Extensive underwater sequences filmed in Silver Springs' crystal-clear waters. The jungle scenes used the lush subtropical vegetation along the Silver River.
Tarzan's Secret Treasure
Starring: Johnny Weissmuller, Maureen O'Sullivan
Multiple swimming and diving scenes showcased the incredible visibility of Silver Springs. The spring's 99% pure water allowed for stunning underwater cinematography.
Tarzan's New York Adventure
Starring: Johnny Weissmuller, Maureen O'Sullivan
Opening jungle sequences filmed at Silver Springs before the story moves to New York City.
Tarzan and the Mermaids
Starring: Johnny Weissmuller, Linda Christian
Weissmuller's final Tarzan film. Some underwater and lagoon sequences were captured at Silver Springs.
Tarzan's Hidden Jungle
Starring: Gordon Scott
Gordon Scott took over the role. Silver Springs' dense subtropical hammock provided the African jungle backdrop.
Tarzan and the Valley of Gold
Starring: Mike Henry
Filming continued at Silver Springs during the later Tarzan era, utilizing the same pristine waters and jungle-like settings.
Silver Springs Today: A Florida State Park
Silver Springs operated as a private attraction for over a century before becoming a Florida state park in 2013. Today, Silver Springs State Park preserves the same natural beauty that captivated Hollywood filmmakers decades ago.
The waters remain crystal-clear, still producing over 550 million gallons per day from the main spring head. The subtropical hammock forest along the Silver River looks much as it did when Weissmuller swung through the trees — dense, lush, and undeniably jungle-like.
While the commercial attractions, theme park rides, and the famous Ross Allen Reptile Institute are gone, the natural spring and its surrounding ecosystem have been beautifully preserved. Wild monkeys (descendants of those brought for film productions) still live along the Silver River, adding an unexpected tropical element to your visit.
Visit the Tarzan Filming Locations
Glass-Bottom Boat Tours
See the same crystal-clear waters where Tarzan's underwater scenes were filmed. Tours depart regularly throughout the day.
Kayak the Silver River
Paddle through the same jungle-like corridors that served as Tarzan's African backdrop. Watch for wild monkeys in the trees above.
Hiking Trails
Walk through the subtropical hammock forests that doubled as African jungle. Multiple trails offer views of the spring and river.
The glass-bottom boats at Silver Springs have operated since 1878 — they were running decades before the Tarzan films arrived. Today's tours pass directly over the filming locations, giving you the same underwater views that captivated audiences in the 1930s and 40s.
Other Movies & TV Shows Filmed at Silver Springs
Tarzan wasn't the only Hollywood production to discover Silver Springs. Over 100 films and television shows have used this location, including:
Creature from the Black Lagoon
1954 • Horror/Sci-Fi
Revenge of the Creature
1955 • Horror/Sci-Fi
The Creature Walks Among Us
1956 • Horror/Sci-Fi
Rebel Without a Cause (underwater scenes)
1955 • Drama
The Yearling
1946 • Drama
Sea Hunt (TV series)
1958-1961 • TV Adventure
I Spy (TV series)
1965-1968 • TV Spy
The “Creature from the Black Lagoon” trilogy is particularly notable — the iconic underwater scenes were filmed in the same springs where Tarzan swam just years earlier.
How to Visit Silver Springs State Park
Park Information
- Address: 1425 NE 58th Ave, Ocala, FL 34470
- Hours: 8:00 AM – Sunset, 365 days a year
- $Entrance Fee: $2 per person (boat tours additional)
- Glass-Bottom Boats: ~$12-15/adult, tours run regularly
Tips for Your Visit
- • Best time to visit: Early morning for calm water and best visibility
- • Glass-bottom boat tip: Sit in the middle for the best viewing angle
- • Wild monkeys: Best spotted along the Silver River on kayak tours
- • Photography: Morning light creates stunning underwater views from the boats
- • Combine with: Visit the Ocala National Forest springs on the same day
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Tarzan movies were filmed at Silver Springs in Ocala?
Six Tarzan movies were filmed at Silver Springs between 1938 and 1968, including Tarzan Finds a Son! (1939), Tarzan's Secret Treasure (1941), Tarzan's New York Adventure (1942), Tarzan and the Mermaids (1948), Tarzan's Hidden Jungle (1955), and Tarzan and the Valley of Gold (1966). Johnny Weissmuller starred in the first four films.
Can you visit the Tarzan filming locations at Silver Springs today?
Yes! Silver Springs is now a Florida state park called Silver Springs State Park. You can take glass-bottom boat tours over the same crystal-clear waters where Tarzan movies were filmed. The park is open daily and offers kayaking, hiking, and wildlife viewing along the same jungle-like landscapes used in the films.
What other movies were filmed at Silver Springs, Florida?
Silver Springs hosted filming for many productions beyond Tarzan, including the entire Creature from the Black Lagoon trilogy (1954-1956), The Yearling (1946), parts of Rebel Without a Cause (1955), and TV series like Sea Hunt (1958-1961) and I Spy (1965-1968). Over 100 films and TV shows have used Silver Springs as a location.
Where exactly in Silver Springs were the Tarzan movies filmed?
Filming took place primarily in and around the main spring head and along the Silver River. The crystal-clear spring water (with over 99% purity and 80+ feet of visibility) was used for underwater scenes, while the dense subtropical hammock forest along the riverbanks doubled as African jungle. The Ross Allen Reptile Institute on-site added exotic animals for authenticity.
Does Silver Springs still look like it did in the Tarzan movies?
Much of the natural landscape remains remarkably similar. The springs still produce millions of gallons of crystal-clear water daily, and the subtropical vegetation along the Silver River retains its jungle-like appearance. While the commercial attractions are gone, the state park has preserved the natural beauty that attracted filmmakers in the 1930s-1960s.
Explore More in Ocala
Silver Springs State Park
Complete visitor guide to the park
Springs Near Ocala
All the natural springs in Marion County
Things to Do in Ocala
Complete activities and attractions guide
Ocala National Forest Guide
Explore Florida's oldest national forest
Glass-Bottom Boat Tours
Tour the waters where Tarzan was filmed
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